As the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry shifts to a more industrialized approach, new technology will be required to manage construction jobs less and less by phone and email and more and more through centralized software platforms. A pioneer in this space may be ManufactOn, a three-year-old startup that focuses on streamlining and managing the prefabrication (prefab) supply chain.
ManufactOn customer TG Gallagher, which utilizes ManufactOn in the fabrication shop, is discussing when an item is scheduled to be delivered to the jobsite, and checking the production status for the item. (Image courtesy of TG Gallagher.)
ManufactOn aims to play a key role in this shift, and it has just received a vote of confidence from major AEC players that suggests it will. The Boston-based startup has closed a Series A funding round led by Brick and Mortar Ventures, with participation from Autodesk, and WND Ventures. ENGINEERING.com spoke with ManufactOn CEO Raghi Iyengar and Director of Sales Brad Hartnagle, as well as Jim Lynch, vice president of the BIM Product Line Group at Autodesk, to learn more.
The world of AEC is changing with many in the industry indicating a shift from on-site construction to the use of prefab elements. A recent study by the consulting and investment firm FMI Corporation indicated, “The amount of project work using prefab has almost tripled between 2010 and 2016,” and, “Contractors want to double their labor…